New Bishop International Airport director meets lifelong goal in new role

FLINT, MI – Following a nine-month search that included 30 candidates whittled down to a final four, Bishop International Airport has found its new pilot.

Craig Williams has been chosen to become the new director at Bishop International Airport in Flint.Courtesy Photo

Craig Williams, the director of operations and facilities for the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, was unanimously voted into the new position Tuesday afternoon, July 22. He is expected to begin in Flint by late August.

"It gives me the opportunity to be an airport director," said Williams, 44, Tuesday evening, after hearing of the Bishop International Airport Authority Board's vote. "It's has been a lifelong goal of mine."

"I'm excited about the opportunity to be up there. It's a neat airport," he said. "I've had the opportunity to visit there in the past through my previous job and just go through Flint. I really like the airport."

He will take over the seat from current airport director Jim Rice, who is slated to retire Oct. 8, following 24 years in the position and 44 years in the aviation industry.

"If things go right, I get to spend a month with him," said Rice, who expects to do plenty of fishing and traveling with his wife after his final day on the clock is over. "I'd like to spend a month to introduce him. He'll transition into this very well."

Williams said he would have his own style of management, but in speaking with Rice, he added, "I think he and I have similar approaches in the sense you hire, you have a good staff, you believe they can get things done and you support them to get things done."

Williams said it would be invaluable to have Rice on board for his first month, and he would not be shy in asking for help or guidance in areas he needs to understand better. He said Fort Wayne handles fewer passengers, but has more employees and larger property with two airports -- Fort Wayne International and Smith Field.

"It was very important to the search committee and board that we get it right," said Cooper.

Having worked seven years in Fort Wayne and filling the roles of director of operations and facilities, as well as director of finance and administration, is something Williams felt will help soften his landing in Flint -- along with the work Rice has done.

"I've held both of the senior management positions at the airport," he said. "I think having that balance on both sides of the aisle, if you will, it allows me to come into the airport and provide a wide range of experience and the background."

Williams previously served as a Senior Aviation Consultant for airport consulting firm Reynolds, Smith, and Hills, as well as working for trade associations American Association of Airport Executives and Helicopter Association International.

In his experiences at Bishop, Williams said he's noticed "The employees and the staff. They were just very welcoming. They have a lot of pride in the airport and what they do. You want to work with people that are happy to come to work."

He said the airport is a good size, and Williams commented he would not have taken the job if he did not see the opportunity for growth at the facility.

Passenger departures from Bishop stood at 213,240 through June 2014, compared to 188,956 through June 2013, up 12.85 percent. Departures were up 5.82 percent in June 2014.

Bishop recorded a record-high number of arrivals and departures in 2004 -- 1.2 million. Williams said the industry was hitting its peak in 2005 before it swooned along with the economy, but there are signs of growth once again.

Williams said he would talk with Pat Corfman, director of marketing and public relations for Bishop, upon settling into the role to see "what specific opportunities there are" in potentially untapped markets.

He noted they've faced some struggles in Fort Wayne with passengers using the airport in Indianapolis, as Flint has in Detroit taking away some potential customers, but he was optimistic for the future.

"It has been well run for a number of years, has good support from the community and has good air service," Williams said. "You are blessed when you come into a place that has good air services as well."

He hopes to settle his family, including 3-year-old Lillian, 8-year-old Madeline and wife Tracy -- as much as he can before the school year begins and is excited to begin the new venture.

"The fact that it's announced today has made it real and more exciting," Williams said.